Democratic Whip Rep. James Clyburn (D-SC) defended his colleague Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) by reasoning that she is higher than Jews on the pyramid of intersectionality. In an interview with The Hill on Wednesday, Clyburn trivialized Holocaust survivors when he implied that Omar’s time in a Kenyan refugee camp outweighed the experiences of Jews.

Her experience, Clyburn argued, is much more empirical — and powerful — than that of people who are generations removed from the Holocaust, Japanese internment camps during World War II and the other violent episodes that have marked history.

“I’m serious about that. There are people who tell me, ‘Well, my parents are Holocaust survivors.’ ‘My parents did this.’ It’s more personal with her,” Clyburn said. “I’ve talked to her, and I can tell you she is living through a lot of pain.”

Clyburn is the third-highest ranking Democrat in the House, who has shared a stage with the notorious anti-semite Louis Farrakhan. According to Clyburn’s logic, it’s OK to hate Jews if you rank higher than them on the hierarchy of victimhood. Omar is a Muslim woman who was born in Somalia and had to flee violence in her country, so Democrats believe her hate speech should be excused, while Holocaust survivors should sit quiet.

Clyburn’s comments come during a fragmented week for Democrats, who failed to pass a resolution condemning anti-Semitism in the wake of Omar’s repeated anti-Semitic slurs. Clyburn, a prominent member of the Congressional Black Caucus, said he rejected the idea that the proposed resolution would single Omar out for condemnation.

“She won’t be targeted. We’re going to target those people who had her picture on the Twin Towers,” Clyburn said. “This resolution is going to be inclusive; it’s going to be expansive; and I might just try to add something to deal with that billboard that’s up in Pennsylvania this morning calling John Lewis and other members of the Congressional Black Caucus racists.”

As Washington Free Beacon writer Alex Griswold pointed out, it’s contradictory to say the resolution is “expansive” and not intended to go after Omar specifically, but to also say it’s going to “target” certain groups.

Pro-tip: it sort of gives the game away to opt for a broad "all hate matters" resolution that doesn't target Omar, and then target *other* individuals in the resolution. pic.twitter.com/Z2i7W1cFaJ